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University of Illinois Library 


THE FOOD SITUATION OF THE 
COUNTRY, WITH SOME REMARKS 
ON THE URGENT NECESSITY 
FOR A NATIONAL FOOD 
COMMISSION. 


BY 
H. EDWIN LEWIS, M. D., 
New York City. 

There is grave danger in the fact that the 
people of America do not adequately realize 
*the all-important role that the food prob- 
lem is going to play in the war in which this 
country is now engaged. They may know, 
more or less vaguely, that War conditions— 


German submarines in particular—have 
created a serious shortage in the food sup- 
ply of the European belligerent and neutral 
nations, but it is a matter for genuine ap- 
prehension that so few recognize that the 
final outcome of the war may be determined 
by the amount of food the United States 
will be able to contribute to the pool of the 
Allies’ resources. Thanks, however, to the 
American Press, and the splendid service it 
has never failed to render at crucial mo- 
ments, the people at large are gradually be- 
ginning to see that the most vital and 


[Reprinted from American Medicine, NewzSeries, Vol. XII, 
No, 5, May, 1917.] 


dominating question before the world to- 
day is that of the food supply. 

But recognition of the importance of a 
complex problem does not imply that it is 
understood, or that its manifold details are 
widely or generally known. The truth of 
this is particularly manifeSted by the amount 
of definite and comprehensive knowledge 
which inquiry concerning the food resources 
of the United States will elicit from per- 
sons of even more than average intelligence. 
The vastness of this country, its wide varia- 
tion of climate, its diversity of agricultural 
enterprise, and the localization of interests ° 
as a result of state lines, have served to 
divide the United States into practically 
forty-eight separate and distinct countries. 
As a consequence, the information possessed 
by those who are interested in agricultural 
matters is essentially limited to their own 
localities. There are a few, of course, whose 
knowledge in this direction is national in 
its scope, but these—with rare exceptions— 
are the experts connected with the Federal 
and State governments, whose — special 
studies and labors have given them per- 
force a comprehensive grasp of the agri- 
cultural resources of the entire country. 

For nearly three years the American peo- 
ple have been viewing the Great War “from 
the sidelines.” In spite of the attention 
food matters have received, abroad and in 


this country, and the widespread discussion 
of every phase of the question in the news- 
papers and magazines, the great majority of 
the people still look on the food problem as 
a proposition merely of “increasing the 
food supply.” Recently, numerous publica- 
tions, well meaning but somewhat lacking 
in their sense of proportion, have instituted 
a campaign to stimulate the planting of 
vegetables in back yards, open lots, small 
parks, private and public lawns, and so on. 
This is all right as far as it goes, and it 
seems too bad to have to criticize a move- 
ment so praiseworthy in its intent. But the 
great danger hable to attend this plan of 
every one planting his “little bit of ground,” 
is the false estimate sure to be formed of 
the benefits to be derived from such efforts. 
A large proportion of those who will thus 
engage in agricultural pursuits on a Lillipu- 
tian scale, are totally uninformed and inex- 
perienced. Not only will this make the har- 
vest extremely doubtful, but devoid as these 
amateur farmers are of practical knowledge, 
they are bound to make mistakes, neglect to 
do the things they should do, and look for 
results that are impossible of realization. 
The public, misled by these activities and 
the attendant enthusiasm, will become over- 
sanguine in regard to the returns, and be 
falsely reassured as to the effect on the real 
situation. 


To exert any appreciable influence on the 
actual volume of America’s agricultural 
products, millions of acres must be planted, 
in addition to those under cultivation in 
1915 and 1916. The increased output of 
grain, potatoes, beans and all other staples 
must be in millions of bushels to have any 
measurable effect in meeting requirements. 
Let us not fool ourselves with the belief 
that the extent of our back-yard gardens, or 
the quantity and kind of products raised 
therefrom, can be more than the proverbial 
“drop in the bucket.” Again, those who 
plant back-yard areas, aside from expect- 
ing too much from their labors, will be very 
prone to give more time and effort than the 
actual returns can possibly justify, and 
thereby waste energies that might much 
better be directed to more effective pur- 
suits. A particularly apt illustration of this 
is shown by the picture at the top of the 6th 
page of the Times Pictorial Section for 
Sunday, April 29th. This depicts a body of 
seventy or eighty—possibly more—stalwart 
men engaged in spading up a plot of ground 
that could be opened up much more satis- 


factorily—and, of course, more quickly 
by one man with a pair of horses and a 
plow. No criticism can be offered of the 
patriotic impulses which prompt such con- 
centration of “man power,” but is it not 
reasonable to suppose that the time and 


energies of so many men, undoubtedly 
skilled in other lines of thought and effort, 
could be utilized to much greater advantage 
in other directions? It would seem that 
the use of the time in studying the food 
situation, and in employing knowledge thus 
gained to spread the truth concerning the 
problems confronting the Nation would be 
much more productive of tangible results. 
Finally, there is considerable danger that a 
great many of the people who cultivate a 
plot of a few feet square, in anticipating far 
more returns than are possible at best, will 
sadly deceive themselves as to the value of 
their contribution to the situation, or their 
service to the country. I do not want to 
be understood as discouraging any effort, 
however insignificant; under no circum- 
stances would I suggest a discontinuance of 
any one’s project, however small and in- 
consequential; but let us not delude our- 
selves in regard to our undertakings, and 
if we do anything, let us employ our ener- 
gies with a view to the result, not merely to 
do something—and salve our consciences. 

More than anything else needed at the 
moment in connection with the food ques- 
tion, is a_thoro understanding of the 
fundamental situation; in other words, a 
comprehensive realization of what the actual 
problem is, what can be done to solve it, 
and how this solution can be effected with 


greatest certainty, efficiency and despatch, 
and with least difficulty, waste of effort or 
disturbance of the economic conditions of 
.the country, now or later. 

The American people are level-headed, 
they have a wealth of common sense, and 
an appeal to reason thru a plain  state- 
ment of facts and cold blooded logic, will 
surely achieve results in needed directions, 
when more devious and indirect methods 
would fail. Undeniably, the United States 
of America is confronted by the most 
stupendous and serious problem that the 
Nation has ever been called upon to 
solve. It is the paramount issue of the 
hour, the most momentous question that 
any people have ever had to answer, for on 
this answer, not only the comfort and well 
being of millions of our own population will 
depend, but it is certain to have a far-reach- 
ing influence on the whole world. This is 
a rather large statement, but no one who 
has kept in touch with the food situation 
thruout the world during the past two 
years can deny its accuracy. The march of 
time, and the irresistible trend of circum- 
stances have made the United States the 
source of a considerable portion of the 
world’s food supply. | Fortunate beyond 
compare in its natural advantages, and 
blessed with a large measure of success in 
making the most of them, the wonderful 


prosperity and accumulation of wealth 
which have made America the most hated 
and bitterly maligned of nations, enable it 
to stand today in the happy position of the 
one country that thru its accumulated 
riches, unlimited resources, and spirit of 
magnanimity and philanthropy, can save the 
world. I say “the world,” for tho Amer- 
ica is at war with the central countries 
f Europe, there is no hatred of the people 
these nations, or desire to see them 


mo, 


©) 
) 
suffer; if peace were declared tomorrow, 
the people of Germany and Austro-Hungary 
would have no reason to complain at the 
treatment they would receive from this 
country. I also say “unlimited resources,” 
for it is an incontrovertible fact that the 
United States has sufficient tillable land to 
raise enough grain and other food stuffs 
to feed the entire white race, and possibly 
the whole world! 

In order to insure the maximum develop- 
ment of the food resources of the United 
States, however, the people must be mobil- 
ized as never before. It must be mobiliza- 
tion of brain power, of comprehension, of 
cooperative purpose, and above all, of 
sympathetic approval of the acts and regula- 
tions of the authorities to whom we trust 
our affairs, 

As previously stated, an enormous 
amount has been written and published con- 


cerning the food question, and while this 
has served a very important purpose, much 
of it, unfortunately, has not been of a char- 
acter to give the people exact information in 
regard to 

First. What America must do to save 
the world from famine; 

Second. What the actual resources are 
in (a) surplus food supplies, 1f any; (b) 
available tillable land; and (c) prospective 
labor ; 

Third. How the forces of the nation can 
best be organized (a) to increase the food 
production to the highest point for the com- 
ing season; (b) to avoid the various factor 


Nn 


liable to jeopardize the various crops; (c) 
to aid and promote successful harvesting ; 
(d) to control the uses and disposition of 
the crops when harvested; (e) to insure 
necessary transportation to storage and dis- 
tribution centers; (f) to regulate food 
prices, if necessary, without injury to the 
producer, injustice to the consumer, or dis- 
turbance of collateral trade conditions ; and 
finally (g) to avoid all possible decrease or 
depreciation of natural resources in order 
to conserve their future productivity. 

With the food problem thus explained in 
detail, the people will realize the desirability 
of any action the Government may decide 
to take, and not only give their hearty ap- 
proval, but, with the true spirit of patriot- 


ism and democracy, will ungrudgingly sup- 
port and cooperate with the required regu- 
lations as they become necessary. 

With earnest convictions in this direction, 
and a firm belief that a matter so vitally 
important warrants as full discussion as pos- 
sible from every angle, 1 deem it not alone 
a privilege, but a duty to take up seriatim 
some of these various details of the food 
problem. . 

First, let us consider what America must 
do to save the world from famine. Re- 
duced to its simplest terms, this country 
must contribute, beginning with October, 
1917, at least 1,000,000 tons of staple food 
products a month to the allied and neutral 
countries of Europe, over and above its 
normal exports; and should peace be de- 
clared before this date, this amount will 
probably have to be greatly increased. To 
aid in the realization of what this will mean, 
let us just briefly point out that this in- 
crease of food export will require the move- 
ment of 30,000 freight cars or 1,000 trains 
monthly, or over 30 trains of 35 loaded cars 
daily to get this quantity of food to the sea- 
board. Carrying this thought a little fur- 
ther, it will require the loading and des- 
patch*of over six 5,000-ton ships every day 
to get this amount of food stuff to the ports 
of entry on the other side of the Atlantic. 
Let me emphasize that this is entirely sep- 


10 


arate from the shipping that must be devo- 
ted to the country’s regular foreign trade 
in food stuffs, or other exports,such as 
machinery and building material, fuel, farm 
implements, war munitions and the supplies 
that will be imperatively needed if an army 
contingent is sent to France. These figures 
are conservative and probably should be 
substantially increased. 

There is no exaggeration, therefore, in 
the statement that this country is face to 
face with the most prodigious undertaking 
the world has ever seen. The human mind 
can hardly grasp what this means in the 
aggregate volume of material. Before this 
huge amount is sent away, moreover, the 
needs of the American peoplemust be looked 
after, and enough food retained to make 
certain that grim want shall not make its 
influence felt here. In other words, suff- 
cient food supplies to meet the requirements 
of the United States must be conserved, 
with the retention of necessary reserves to 
meet contingencies and provide a safe sur- 
plus to allow for unexpected crop conditions 
in the following season. A special reserve 
for seed purposes must also be held back. 

The thought that instantly arises is: how 
can all these things be accomplished with 
least possible delay, interference with es- 
tablished customs or usual trade conditions, 


dd 


and inconvenience or abridgment of indi- 
vidual rights and privileges? 

The answer is plain. There should be an 
immediate organisation of a National Food 
Commission to take full charge of the food 
problem. Doubtless, it is superfluous to 
state that this Commission should have 
plenary power in regard to every detail as- 
sociated with the contro! and direction of 
the country’s food supplies. It may also 
seem presumptuous, in view of the thought 
and attention being devoted to these mat- 
ters, to make such a suggestion, much less 
to lay down any definite scheme of organi- 
zation. But, here again I plead the gravity 
of the situation, the tremendous importance 
of getting it well in hand at the earliest 
possible moment, and the possible aid any 
earnest consideration of the presenting 
problem may give in its ultimate solution, 
if in no other direction than to help prepare 
the thinking people of the country for con- 
ditions certain to arise. 

The Commission should not be large. It 
should consist of seven men; a chairman, 
to be known as Director of National Food 
Control, who should be the executive head 
of the Commission with power and authority 
to act therefor. To facilitate the work of 
this Commission, which will be enormous, 
it should be divided into a number of de- 


partments. These, at the beginning at 
least, should be six, as follows: 


Department of Food Production. 
Department of Supplies and Labor. 
‘Department of Transportation. 
Department of Distribution. 
Department of Finance and Eco- 
nomics. 

6. Department of Research and Con- 
servation. 


Uw 


Further study and investigation may sug- 
gest a different division of the Commission’s 
activities, but for purposes of consideration 
and discussion, the foregoing will afford a 
practical working basis. Each department 
should have a member of the Food Com- 
mission as its head. He should be vested 
with supreme authority in all matters com- 
ing within the purview of his allotted re- 
sponsibilities, with a single exception; his 
acts and orders should be by and with the 
advice and consent of the Chairman or Na- 
tional Director. Experience, in my humble 
opinion, has shown the wisdom of the cen- 
tralization of authority in great crises. 
Given a strong, capable man of high re- 
solve, constructive vision, and a deep sense 
of responsibility, and the interests of the 
people will be much better served by him, 
acting alone, than by a considerable body of 
men of divided responsibility and restricted 
authority. The single official, answerable 


only to his conscience and the laws of his 


13 


government, and guided by nothing but his 
convictions and desire to do his best, will 
get better results, and much more quickly, 
than a group of men, each equally able and 
conscientious but acting in concert. The 
single official may make some mistakes, 
but if he is well trained, intelligent 
and abundantly supplied with moral 
courage, he will accomplish his task more 
satisfactorily, and in less time, than a body 
of men, however capable, but who are 
handicapped by the necessity of working as 
a group; that is, considering everything in 
committee, harmonizing opinions often 
widely divergent, and being bound by the 
decision of the majority, which may not be, 
after all, the actual viewpoint of any one 
member. Division of responsibility does 
not promote efficiency, and this has been 
repeatedly demonstrated by committee ad- 
ministration. The acts of a group of men 
invariably lack the clear cut decisiveness, or 
the definite and positive character of those 
of the official who is obliged to assume en- 
tire responsibility in the disposition of any 
important question. In other words, a com- 
uttee’s acts constantly indicate an attempt 
to bring the ideas of several men to com- 
mon ground, to decide on a course of ac- 
tion that shall “strike an average.” Too 
often, therefore, this course is a compromise 


14 


reached by mutual concessions of the dif- 
ferent members to each other. Thus not in- 
frequently it goes too far for the conserva- 
tives, and not far enough for the radicals. 
Therefore, as before stated, it often rep- 
resents no one’s real opinion or belief. 

Recognition of these facts can hardly fail 
to lead one to the earnest belief that in any 
great crisis like this concerning food 
control, individual responsibility insures 
maximum safety, efficiency and expedition. 

The activities of the different depart- 
ments of a national organization for food 
supervision and direction, as seems so 
urgently called for by the exigencies of the 
hour, will develop as the plan unfolds, and 
new and unexpected occasions arise. 

With these observations in mind, let us 
briefly consider some of the lines of action 
that can be foreseen and provided for. 

1. The Department of Food Production. 
This should have charge of everything di- 
rectly concerned in the investigation of 
present supplies, the kind and quantity of 
crops raised in the past two years, the avail- 
able acreage, stimulation of planting, the 
control and allotment of public lands, the 
spread of information on all topics relating 
to crops, the preservation of careful records, 
and the constant surveillance and direction 
of food production generally. 

These various phases of activity may be 
given over to special bureaus, each headed 
by a competent expert, definitely respon- 


15 


sible for the matters placed under his super- 
vision, and answerable to his department 
chief. Each bureau should be a separate or- 
ganization, entirely distinct from the others 
in direction, control and personnel, but ar- 
ranged and prepared to cause minimum de- 
lay or “lost motion,” if I may use the term, 
in their active cooperation with each other, 
or in the performance of their respective 
duties. 

2. Department of Supplies and Labor. 
This department should have charge of the 
problems of seeds, fertilizers and equip- 
ment; the distribution of these where need- 
ed to responsible companies, associations 
and individuals; the arranging for imme- 
diate or deferred payments for same; the 
mobilization of labor for agricultural work ; 
and general direction of all agencies con- 
cerned in the cultivation and harvesting of 
crops. 

3. Department of Transportation. This 
department should have entire charge of 
the movement of food supphes, (a) to con- 
centration points; (b) from these to centers 
for domestic distribution; (c) to seaboard 
cities for foreign shipment; the rolling stock 
required for the proper distribution and 
handling of food products; the grain ele- 
vators or warehouses in which supplies 
must be stored pending shipment; the labor 
connected with transportation and storage; 
the provision and control of docking and 
loading facilities; the control and manage- 
ment of the ocean or coastwise shipping 
needed for a steady flow of food supplies to 
the nation’s allies; and general supervision 
of all matters directly associated with the 
transportation of the country’s food prod- 
ucts from the source of supply to the point 
of final distribution. Thru appropriate 


16 


bureaus, this department, in addition to its 
other transportation problems, will have to 
provide and maintain a large fleet of ships. 
Doubtlessly, a considerable number can be 
obtained thru charter, the confiscated 
German and Austrian ships will be avail- 
able, and the special wooden and_ steel 
vessels now being built by the Government 
should be placed under the direction of this 
department of the National Food Commis- 
sion. Furthermore, the powers of the Com- 
mission should be enlarged to include the 
building of such aditional ships of mod- 
erate tonnage as may become necessary or 
desirable. The work of this Department of 
Transportation unquestionably will be 
among the most important of the Commis- 
sion’s activities, for the utility and adequacy 
of those of all the others will depend to a 
large degree on the way in which the food 
supplies are made available to the ultimate 
consumer. 

4. Department of Distribution. The 
activities of this department, at first 
thought, might be looked upon as falling 
Ww ithin the scope or field of the Department 
of Transportation, but as conceiv a in the 
scheme of organization under discussion, its 
duties will be quite distinct, for they will 
have to do in particular with the manifold 
details pertaining to the elaborate mecha- 
nism of vending and accounting between the 
producers, distributors and consumers. So 
complex will be the questions involved that 
only the most general description of the ae 
ties of this department will be possible a 
this time. Suffice it to say that all Sonate 
cated problems concerned with the establish- 
ing and satisfying of proprietary interests, 
the transferring of rights and ownership in 
food supplies, the investigating and approv- 


ales 


ing of credits and liabilities related to these 
supplies with countries, companies, associa- 
tions and individuals, and the adjusting of 
all claims, will come within the administra- 
tive authority of this department. Its de- 
cision will be final, with, of course, the ex- 
ception of appeal to the laws of the land. 
Special provision will have to be made to 
handle and protect individual interests in 
the delivery of food supplies to European 
governments. The Commission should 
stand in the position of middleman in such 
transactions, and save the producers from 
the annoyances and red tape which all too 
often work a genuine hardship on those 
who deal with governments. 

5. Department of Finance. The func- 
tions of this department will be identical 
with those of similar departments in all 
large commercial enterprises ; the handling 
and disbursement of all funds placed at the 
disposal of the Commission for conducting 
its affairs; the actual payment of all claims 
on presentation of orders from the Depart- 
ment of Distribution; the collection of all 
accounts due from transactions between the 
Department of Distribution and the nations, 
parties and persons with whom the Commis- 
sion has commercial dealings, as agent or 
principal; and the entire supervision and 
discharge of the fiscal affairs of the Com- 
mission. 


6. Department of Conservation and Re- 
search. This department will have a most 
important division of the Commission’s 
work altho it may not be as prominent as 
some of the others. For example, the ques- 
tion of waste will require especial attention. 
It is a well established fact that the waste of 
food each year is enormous. The amazing 


18 


prosperity thruout the country during the 
past few years has made the people careless, 
and in the kitchens of our homes, our large 
hotels, and public institutions especially, 
the waste, according to very conservative es- 
timates has been said to exceed ten per cent. 
Indeed, there are those who, as a result of 
careful thought and investigation, do not 
hesitate to claim that twenty per cent. is 
nearer correct. Obviously, there 1s no way 
of ascertaining the exact loss each year from 
the food waste incidental to carelessness, 
ignorance and neglect, but the most casual 
observation justifies but one conclusion, and 
that is that it must be very great. At any 
rate, no one will deny that this problem 
should be studied, and the people taught 
rational economy in the preparation and use 
of food stuffs. The housewives especially 
can be marshalled in this particular move- 
ment, and a little teaching along practical 
lines will enable them to become factors of 
far-reaching influence in cutting down need- 
less waste in the home. 

In addition to the foregoing there is the 
waste due to thoughtless extravagance in 
supplying our tables, a common fault of 
which the majority of the American people 
are guilty. Thus at every meal in the home 
or public eating place, the average individ- 
ual invariably insists on having a great deal 
more than he needs—often more than he 
can possibly eat. The remainder is usually 
thrown away. Not the least of the duties 
of this department will be the systematic 
dissemination of information in regard to 
the amounts and kinds of food required to 
maintain perfect health. Most people will 
gladly readjust their habits and customs 
when shown to be in error; thoughtlessness 
is almost always the cause of dietetic er- 


19 


rors, and education is the most certain 
means of effecting reform. 

Again, the people must be shown the ad- 
vantages of new, or substitute foods. Our 
country, fortunately, has such a diversity of 
climate, and such wide geographical distri- 
bution, that there is hardly any known food 
product that cannot be grown in amounts 
to meet all needs. Just as an illustration, 
reference may be made to the avocado or al- 
ligator pear as a source of fat. Offering 
over twenty per cent. of edible fat, this 
fruit can be grown in quantities to obviate 
any shortage in this essential direction. In 
addition, we can have a practically inex- 
haustible supply of edible oils and fats from 
our peanuts, cotton seed and cocoanuts. Al- 
ready a substitute butter made from cocoa- 
nut oil is on the market that seems to settle 
all fears of any lack of the dairy made prod- 
uct. The way clarified cotton seed oil has 
been gradually but surely superseding lard 
for all cooking purposes during the past dec- 
ade speaks eloquently of the possibilities in 
this direction. There are many other de- 
velopments in regard to the evolution of 
new and valuable food stuffs—only a few 
days ago the manufacture of a very satis- 
factory butter from alfalfa was announced 
and this department, with its command of 
the nation’s scientific resources, and its own 
corps of experts, will be able to amplify and 
expend the available food supply to a 
gratifying degree, not only by developing 
new foods, but by devising new methods of 
using the old ones, and extending popular 
knowledge in respect to food values. 

Another line of investigation that seems 
to be especially needed is in regard to the 
undue refinement of various foods, notably 
the milling of certain cereals, wheat in par- 


20 


ticular, whereby the coarser portions of the 
wheat kernel are removed, leaving only the 
soft, inner part. This makes the very de- 
licious white bread that has become the most 
staple article of the modern dietary. It has 
been claimed by some, however, that this 
white bread, appealing and appetizing as it 
is, is in reality much less healthful and 
nourishing than that containing a certain 
percentage or made entirely of whole wheat 
flour.'. It has also been stated that the use 
of white flour exclusively entails serious 
waste. Practically all of the European na- 
tions at war have discarded the baking of 
white bread, and made it compulsory to use 
only that made from coarser wheat flour, 
or special combinations of cereals, potatoes, 
etc. This question of the relative food 


1“The increase in the price of labor as well as 
the demand for flour or meal brought about the 
invention of a device for the more economic 
milling of these cereals, the roller mill system 
which came into use in JS878. This process 
made it possible to separate the several parts 
of the grain; the germ, the bran and the endo- 
sperm or starchy part. This allowed the latter 
to be ground to a fine flour which because of its 
whiteness appealed to the housewife as a purer 
product. The germ and bran were largely dis- 
carded as human food, and sold as fodder for 
cattle, horses and hogs. This new flour has un- 
doubtedly kept better than that made by the 
old process; the new method employed in its 
preparation, however, deprives it of valuable 
constituents. Thus it contains less protein, fat 
and ash, but what is even more important, 
it is markedly deficient in certain so-called 
accessory food substances,—the so-called vita- 
mines which are contained in the intact kernel, 
the outer layers (aleuronlayer) and probably 
in the germ. In other words, wheat flour, corn 
flour, hominy and grits, minus the bran and 
germ, are lacking in vitamines, while whole 
wheat flour and corn meal contain practically 
all the vitamines of the whole grain.’’—AMERI- 
can MeEptcine. November, 1916. 


21 


value and healthfulness of white bread 
and that made from whole wheat, rye, 
etc., calls for thoro investigation, as, in 
fact, does the subject of bread making gen- 
erally.2. If Funk's recent researches, which 
seem to show that the vitamines or vital 
substances of the wheat kernel are found 
only in the husk or pericarp, are substanti- 
ated, there can be no doubt as to the de- 
sirability of using more of the wheat berry 
for bread. In regard to the argument as to 
waste, however, it should be remembered 
that the portion remaining after the proc- 
ess of “bolting,” is not wasted at all, but in 
the form of wheat bran is utilized com- 
pletely for feeding cattle, etc. 

Another statement that should be care- 
fully investigated is that put forth by advo- 
cates of prohibition, that the manufactur- 
ing of beer entails the extensive waste of 
food materials and should therefore be 
stopped during the war period. I hold no 
brief far beer, its makers or users, but I do 
prize the truth, and if the opponents of beer 
drinking have no better argument than the 
above, I fear they will get little support or 
sympathy from thinking people. As a mat- 
ter of fact, the only cereal used in beer 
making is barley, and this not only consti- 
tutes the main use of this cereal, but as a 
result of this use, over a third of the bar- 
ley employed is made available for the 
special feeding of milch cows. According 
to facts ascertained by the U. S. Govern- 


> Hoover, whose statements are bound to com- 
mand our deepest respect is quoted as saying 
that in Belgium the effort to use more than 81 
per cent. of the wheat grain in making bread 
was followed immediately by an increase of a 
thousand deaths. ‘After that,’ he said, ‘we 
did not dare to mill more than 81 per cent. of 
the grain.” 


22 


ment, the total of cereal consumption in- 
volved in the use of beer is a fraction of 
one per cent. of the grain production of this 
country! To be sure, a certain amount of 
sugar may be used in the manufacture of 
beer, but as this, together with the barley 
used, enters definitely into its composition, 
it must be clearly evident that it has a 
food value to this extent; therefore, tho 
it may be consumed as a beverage, what- 
ever food elements it carries will be as- 
similated by the organism, and not “wasted” 
as claimed.* I firmly believe in temperance. 
Never was it more essential than now, 
when clear thinking is so necessary for the 
welfare of the nation, but let us be fair and 
honest in our attitude toward every problem, 
and remember that there are many good 
people who have the right to take a certain 
proportion of their barley and sugar in solu- 
tion if they wish to. As for whiskey and 
spirituous liquors, there is no doubt in my 
mind as to the desirability of prohibiting 
their sale and use, at least during the war. 
Even this, however, should be carefully in- 
vestigated before final action is taken. 
There are many other questions that 
should engage the attention of this Depart- 
ment of Research and Conservation. Thus, 


‘Statement by Kennedy Jones, Director of 
Food Economy in England, May 17, 1917: “If 
it be found advisable to stop beer altogether— 
upon which point there is a considerable dif- 
ference of opinion—it would be simple common 
sense to allow the workers time to adapt them- 
selves to the change gradually, by a gradual 
reduction of the supply rather than by checking 
or stopping the brewing of beer at once. Also 
it is well to bear in mind that if the worker 
is not deriving part of his energy, as has been 
his habit, from beer, he may require more 
bread, so that practically no actual saving of 
bread could be effected.” 


23 


for example, there are an infinite number 
of problems connected with food produc- 
tion, such as selective planting, the selec- 
tion of seeds, soil enrichment, the use of 
plant bacteria, soil antisepsis, crop protec- 
tion, and so on. 

The problems of agricultural waste will 
also come within the held of this depart- 
ment. Aside from that incidental to faulty 
planting—improper adaptation of the crop 
to the soil—there is an enormous waste 
every vear thru careless or ignorant harvest- 
ing, improper packing, delayed transporta- 
tion and unwise marketing of fruits and 
vegetables. Vast quantities of these val- 
uable food products are allowed to spoil and 
rot for one reason or another. It is no un- 
common sight in the Fall to see the ground 
in-many an orchard covered with apples 
or other fruits that the owner cannot—or 
will not—get to the market. This Depart- 
ment of Research and Conservation should 
have a bureau whose sole duty should be 
the education of the farmer in regard to 
proper harvesting, packing, ete., keep him 
supplied with market information ; and give 
him assistance in getting his produce 
promptly and profitably to the consumer. 

A system of dehydration of rapidly per- 
ishable vegetables and fruits should be 
worked out, as a very great saving has been 
effected in this way in countries where such 
methods are in use. At small cost pro- 
ducers can have their own dehydrating 
plants, and thereby reduce waste and loss 
toa minimum. Larger and more elaborate 
plants can be established i in each community 
by the local town or city government, or by 
groups of farmers themselves on a co- 
operative basis. The process of dehydra- 
tion removes the water, but leaves every 


24 


nourishing element, and the fruits or vege- 
tables when thus dried keep indefinitely. 
The reduction in bulk and weight is highly 
advantageous, as it reduces the storage space 
required, facilitates handling, and cuts down 
transportation costs. The method will go 
far to solve a good many of the problems 
pertaining to food preservation and the 
elimination of needless waste, thereby secur- 
ing directly a substantial increase in the an- 
nual food supply. 

Many other questions having an impor- 
tant bearing on the conservation of our 
food supplies will come under the consid- 
eration of this department, as its duties un- 
fold. JI have only “scratched the surface” 
of its wonderful opportunities, not only to 
aid and extend the specific purpose of the 
Commission, but to serve and promote the 
interests of all humanity. 


Such, briefly, is the plan of organization 
which plainly indicates the important and 
far-reaching influence a National Food 
Commission, with adequate power, will 
have, not alone in markedly increasing the 
food production of the country, but in de- 
veloping our natural resources and _ placing 
their direction on a sound and systematic 
basis. 

I have dwelt very briefly on the matter 
of price regulation, as it is impossible to do 
more ina general consideration of food pro- 
duction. It cannot fail to appear that any 
action in this direction must be based funda- 
mentally on a due regard for the farmers’ 
rights. The times and conditions are ex- 


2 


or 


ceptional, the country is remarkably pros- 
perous, and the producer certainly has a 
right to participate in the prosperity of the 
nation. In any effort to regulate prices, 
there must be no disturbing or setting aside, 
more than is absolutely necessary, of the 
natural economic conditions created by the 
increase and urgency of the current de- 
mand, and the ability of the people to pay. 
At the same time, abnormal influences such 
as any cornering of supplies, extraordinary 
increase of transportation rates, combina- 
tions or conspiracies “in restraint of trade” 
to raise and maintain prices of common 
commodities, and so on, should be dealt with 
summarily under existing laws, and the in- 
terests of the people safeguarded without 
delay. The study I have given to the pro- 
posal to fix prices has convinced me that 
this should be in the direction of establish- 
ing minimum rather than maximum rates. 
Lack of space precludes my giving all the 
reasons for this conclusion, but I feel that 
it has been shown abroad that a minimum 
price can be fixed with greater fairness, 
more definite facts for guidance, and readier 
acceptance and approval on the part of those 
affected. 

In regard to rationing the people I shall 
also say very little, for I do not believe this 
will be required in this country, unless some 


26 


unexpected condition develops. The pre- 
vention of any such outcome is to be aimed 
at, and I can conceive of no prophylactic 
measure that promises more certain protec- 
tion against “bread tickets,” ‘“‘meatless 
days,” and the rationing of the American 
people, than the early organization of a Na- 
tional Food Commission, with “power to 
act. 

It is hardly necessary to point out that 
the organization of a National Food Com- 
mission is an emergency procedure entirely, 
designed to meet abnormal conditions 
created by the European war and the forced 
participation of this country in it. It 
should not supersede, nor interfere with the 
activities of the present departments of the 
Government; on the contrary, its efforts 
should aim at as perfect cooperation and 
collaboration with these as may be possible, 
in order that it may achieve the specific 
purpose for which it is to be organized, with 
the highest degree of efficiency and success. 
By utilizing the wealth of information of 
the Departments of Agriculture and of 
Commerce and Labor, a very great saving 
of time and effort may be accomplished. 
Obviously, great tact and intelligence will 
be needed in carrying out the purpose, and 
in performing the special duties of a Na- 
tional Food Commission. But with the ex- 
ercise of care and good sense, it 1s reason- 


27 


able to anticipate unlimited benefits, with 
the avoidance of friction or serious compli- 
cations. 

The scheme as outlined is necessarily im- 
perfect and lacking in many respects. But 
I have earnestly tried (first) to point out 
the urgent need of such a commission to 
meet the present crisis, and (second) to 
show that even tho the stringent control 
and direction of our national food resources 
may have certain slight disadvantages, these 
will be more than offset by the development 
of new opportunities and the establishment 
of the whole matter on a well systematized 
and stable footing; in other words, while 
the interests of a few individuals may suf- 
fer to the extent that they will be prevented 
from taking advantage of the present day 
situation to make enormous profits, the 
people at large—including producers, con- 
sumers, and the public—will receive great 
and lasting benefit 


and no further argu- 
ment would seem to be needed. 

The great object that has prompted this 
consideration of the subject is not, there- 
fore, to demonstrate the gain to the people, 
except in so far as this is incidental, but 
to drive home as clearly and forcefully as 
possible that the predominating need of the 
hour is the mobilization of our national 
food resources under governmental organ- 
ization and control. 


28 


It is neither my desire nor my intention 
to pose as an alarmist. A country that has 
done so much to carry into the “far places 
of the world” the message of democracy, 
that has been the haven of so many seeking 
personal freedom and opportunity, and that 
has proven so conclusively the blessed pos- 
sibilities of a republican system of govern- 
ment, surely ought to be safe against the 
encroachment of autocracy and tyranny. 
But conditions have arisen, forces of cupid- 
ity, malice and hate have appeared, and a 
spirit of barbarism and ruthless cruelty has 
been exposed to a degree that civilized 
people never dreamed of as existent in the 
world today. These baneful forces are not 
only now focussed on America, but there 
is an abundance of evidence to prove that 
they have long been seeking an opportunity 
to do it all the harm they could. 

Never, therefore, was our country, and all 
that makes it dear, so terribly menaced as it 
is today. Failure on the part of the nation 
to use its utmost strength—not to crush the 
German people nor to add to their suffering 
and distress more than the exigencies of 
war entail, but to defend our institutions, 
our homes, and our altars—means, sooner 
or later, the “rape” of our country. We 
have witnessed the criminal assault of Bel- 
gium, Serbia, Poland, Roumania and 
France. Our hearts have bled and our 


tears have flowed, as we have tried, as far 
as conditions have permitted, to assuage the 
suffering and lighten the burden of those 
who have been the innocent victims of an 
insane lust for power and conquest. It is 
for us to say whether we will blindly pro- 
crastinate until it is too late to avert catas- 
trophe, or will rise to the situation and place 
our national existence and welfare on a se- 
cure foundation, by giving to the forces of 
civilization the aid and reinforcement our 
present fortunate position makes possible. 

If our Government, alive to its respon- 
sibilities, and in the fullness of its wisdom, 
places our food supplies and resources un- 
der the administrative control of a National 
Food Commission, as seems certain, it is to 
be hoped that every true American citizen 
will contribute his share to the successful 
evolution of the plan by familiarizing him- 
self with its purpose and neglecting no op- 
portunity of upholding a movement that 
first and last will mean so much to all hu- 
manity. 


| 


oa 


Gaylord Bros. 
Makers 


Syracusé, N.Y. 
PAT JAN. 21, 1908 


UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
338.1L58F co01 
THE FOOD SITUATION OF THE COUNTRY NY 


01 dN 


